Infographic: The Screening Process for Refugee Entry into the United States

"The Screening Process for Refugee Entry Into the United States

Recurrent vetting: Throughout this process, pending applications continue to be checked against terrorist databases, to ensure new, relevant terrorism information has not come to light. If a match is found, that case is paused for further review. Applicants who continue to have no flags continue the process. If there is doubt about whether an applicant poses a security risk, they will not be admitted.

1. Many refugee applicants identify themselves to the U.N. Refugee Agency, UNHCR. UNHCR, then:
   • ​​Collects identifying documents
   • Performs initial assessment
     • Collects biodata: name, address, birthday, place of birth, etc.
     • Collects biometrics: iris scans (for Syrians, and other refugee populations in the Middle East)
   • Interviews applicants to confirm refugee status and the need for resettlement
     • Initial information checked again
   • Only applicants who are strong candidates for resettlement move forward (less than 1% of global refugee population).
2. Applicants are received by a federally-funded Refugee Support Center (RSC):​​
   • Collects identifying documents
   • Creates an applicant file
   • Compiles information to conduct biographic security checks..."
     Refugee screening